Toronto: The Toronto International Film Festival has cancelled its opening press conference in the wake of the mass shooting in Canada's Greektown neighbourhood which claimed two lives and left 13 wounded.

The gunman, identified as 29-year-old Faisal Hussain of Toronto by the police, opened fire on restaurant goers and pedestrians on busy Danforth Avenue overnight. He was found dead near the scene of the shooting after an exchange of gunfire with the cops.

The presser, planned for 24 July, was to be led by festival director Piers Handling and artistic director Cameron Bailey.

"In light of the tragedy that occurred last night in Toronto and out of respect for those affected, TIFF is cancelling its scheduled press conference tomorrow, July 24th," the festival said in a statement shared on their official Twitter account.